PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brik Holtik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonny Utah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brik Holtik had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Holtik
vs
Utah

192 cm
31
192 lbs
16 - 9 - 1

180 cm
25
197 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brik Holtik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonny Utah!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holtik gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Utah counters with a single leg into guard. Holtik didn't expect that.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Holtik is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Holtik has an active guard here but Utah has managed to pass into half guard.
Utah seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Utah prevents Holtik from improving his position.
Holtik is staying active underneath Utah, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Holtik is pressing down on Utah's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Utah is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Utah throwing strikes from guard but Holtik blocks nicely.
Utah must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Utah won't allow Holtik to sweep him here.
Utah throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Holtik is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Holtik working a defensive guard here.
Utah keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Holtik's head.
Holtik keeping moving, preventing Utah from controlling successfully.

Holtik had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Utah defends it easily.

Utah avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Holtik throws his legs up looking for a submission but Utah uses it to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holtik struggling a bit here.
Utah wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holtik keeps working.
Holtik is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Utah off and has taken his back!
Utah looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Holtik will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Holtik looking for the choke from the back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holtik throwing sloppy strikes.

Holtik working for the choke.
Utah is in bad spot here.

Holtik is looking for the choke from the back position but Utah is controlling his hands well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holtik missing with strikes from the back.

Holtik patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Utah tries to break free.
Utah is trying to stand back up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Holtik trying to control.

Holtik is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Utah knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Utah for a finish.
Utah wants to escape the position.

Holtik is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Utah looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Holtik has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Utah wants to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Utah controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Holtik is hanging on to Utah's back as he tries to escape.
Utah trying to control but not successfully.

Holtik working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holtik missing with strikes.
Utah trying to control the action but Holtik just sinks the hooks in.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Utah is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Holtik fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brik Holtik will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Utah fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Holtik to the ground. Utah is now in Holtik's guard.
Holtik trying to keep a closed guard but Utah is proving a slippery customer.
Utah working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Holtik throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Holtik wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Utah trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Utah works over Holtik with some ground and pound from guard.
Utah trying to stand up but can't free himself from Holtik's guard.
Holtik trying to control the position.
Utah missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holtik working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Utah doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Utah manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Utah trying to control but Holtik is working from the bottom.
Holtik is trying to control the position but Utah postures up.
Holtik is looking to sweep but instead, Utah has passed into half guard.
Utah thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Holtik's head.
Utah wants to pass the guard but Holtik is defending well.

Holtik actively working from the bottom here.
Utah throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Utah missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holtik has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Utah is working away from the top position though.
Utah trying to control from half guard but Holtik is working away.
Holtik is trying to maintain the position but Utah is very close to passing his half guard.
Holtik is trying to stand back up but Utah is controlling him
Holtik avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Utah.

Holtik looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Utah throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Holtik to regain full guard.
Utah wants to control from the top but Holtik keeps moving.
Utah loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Utah wants to pass the guard but Holtik is keeping the position.

Holtik throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Utah wants to control from the top but Holtik keeps moving.
Holtik being controlled here, momentarily.

Holtik escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Utah gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Utah makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holtik working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Utah.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Holtik looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Holtik throws his legs up looking for a submission but Utah uses it to pass to side control.
Holtik is trying to control Utah's posture but Utah avoids it.
You can see the frustration on Holtik's face as Utah controls the position.
Utah is looking to take a break and control but Holtik is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Holtik wants to control but Utah postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holtik is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Utah is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Utah is putting a hurting on Holtik here, landing some big shots from side control.
Utah lands some shots froms side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Utah showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Holtik shoots in but no luck this time.
Holtik fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Utah avoids it really well and circles away.
Holtik uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Utah.
Utah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holtik.
Utah thows a body shot but no joy.
Utah throws a right and a left that Holtik avoids nicely.
Utah stuffs the takedown attempt from Holtik. Holtik gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brik Holtik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holtik misses with a takedown attempt
and Utah counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The fighters circling - Utah throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Utah throws a big shot that misses.
Holtik tries for a takedown but Utah sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holtik shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Utah defends it nicely.

Utah drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Holtik looking for a guillotine here but Utah defends easily.
Holtik utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Holtik keeping moving, preventing Utah from controlling successfully.
Holtik throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Utah trying to control but Holtik is working from the bottom.
Utah landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holtik has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Utah can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Utah is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Utah chips away with some ground and pound.

Holtik has his foot on Utah's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Utah works his way back into a safe position though.
Utah trying to control but Holtik is working from the bottom.
Utah is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Utah avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Holtik looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Utah throws a big right hand that misses.
Utah working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Utah trying to control but Holtik is working from the bottom.
Utah preventing the sweep.
Utah trying to control but Holtik is working from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jonny Utah wasn't active enough on the ground.
Utah slaps away a takedown attempt from Holtik, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Utah leaves Holtik with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holtik shoots in looking for a takedown but Utah manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Holtik's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Brik Holtik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holtik fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Holtik gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Utah wants to stand but Holtik has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Holtik preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Utah throwing strikes from guard but Holtik blocks nicely.
Utah throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holtik avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Holtik escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Utah gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Holtik keeping moving, preventing Utah from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonny Utah comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Utah has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonny Utah!